Users of a Wokingham day centre for disabled which may face closure have vowed to fight for the facility’s future.

Angry carers and adults who use the facilities at the Westmead Centre in Rances Lane are gearing up to prevent the proposed closure taking place.

One carer, who asked not to be named, is devastated at the proposal, as is her husband who uses the centre twice a week.

She explained how he takes part in activities such as cooking and using the computer, as well as activities at local leisure centres that have been arranged by Westmead staff.

She said: “They do this all in a safe environment where they feel confident, because confidence has been shattered for these people through various illnesses.

“It is interaction as well, as disabled people do feel they are not part of the bigger picture any more.”

At a meeting around 40 people turned out to hear Stuart Rowbotham, Wokingham Borough Council general manager of community care, talk about the future of the centre.

The carer added: “It is a great asset and people are very against it closing. We are fighting for the future.”

The council has launched a six-month consultation where it will ask users and staff at the centre what they think is the best way to provide support for adults with disabilities.

The outcome of this process could lead to the closure of the centre if it is decided disabled adults may be better served by using individual budgets from the council, in a scheme known as Putting People First.

This can involve people spending money on an assistant to support them, or paying for activities that improve their quality of life, such as sport.

The meeting heard how two independent studies on the centre showed it did not meet modern requirements and younger people are not keen on using day centres.

The carer said: “My husband was not keen on going to a centre either, but he went for a week and changed his mind.”

She added some people are suspicious the council may sell the land for development, as new housing was built on a neighbouring site last year.

Councillor David Lee, leader of the council, said housing was a possibility for the site but all options are being considered.

If the centre does close, the role of staff may change to co-ordination roles depending on how people spend their Putting People First budgets.